Home Blog Page 3822

Only Hindus can be employed in colleges funded by Hindu temples, Tamil Nadu govt tells Madras High Court over Muslim man’s petition

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Only Hindus can be employed in colleges funded by Hindu temples, Tamil Nadu govt tells Madras High Court over Muslim man’s petition

On Friday (October 23), the Tamil Nadu government informed the Madras High Court that only Hindu staff can be recruited in educational institutions that are fully financed by Hindu temples, reported The Times of India. The development comes after a writ petition was filed in the Court by a 37-year-old Muslim man A. Suhail challenging the appointment of only Hindus to teaching as well as non-teaching posts at the Arulmigu Kapaleeswarar Arts and Science College in Chennai.

While arguing the case before the Madras High Court, the State advocate general R Shunmugasundaram clarified that the recruitment of non-Hindus in educational institutions run by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department was prohibited under the HR&CE Act. Justice C Saravanan had accepted the petition of Suhail and directed the Tamil Nadu government to file a counter to his petition. Suhail had alleged that he was not allowed for a walk-in interview for the post of office assistant. 

In his petition, he argued, “It is a Constitutional mandate that a state cannot discriminate on the ground of religion…The term specific endowment will not include an educational institution where no religious instruction can be taught to the students. It is clear from the preamble to the Constitution that the state is secular and it cannot choose any religion and undertake to spread the ideologies of the particular religion.” Suhail had claimed that the mandate of the HR&CE Act applied only to temples or Departments involving the affairs of the religion and was not applicable to the post of office assistant of an educational institute.

‘Hindu’ is just a way of life so Muslims and Christians should not be stopped from getting Hindu-only jobs: Petitioner

The petitioner cited the remarks made by the Supreme Court on what constituted being a Hindu. He said the top court had said the word ‘Hindu’ did not denote any religion but a way of life. Pointing out this line of argument by the apex court, the litigant questioned on what basis the respondent authorities could decide the candidate as a Hindu.

Therefore, Suhail stated that the HR & CE Department could not prevent Indian Muslims or Christians or any others from applying and getting selected for various posts at the said college.  He also stated that religious institution as defined in section 6(18) of the HR& CE Act meant only Math or Temples or specific endowment which included institutions maintained for a religious purpose. The petitioner further alleged that he could not approach the court before the conduct of the interview since the court was closed for Dussehra vacation.


Jammu and Kashmir: Security agencies set up drone grid to monitor localities with minority populations to prevent terror attacks

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Jammu and Kashmir: Security agencies set up drone grid to monitor localities with minority populations to prevent terror attacks

Security agencies in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) have decided to enhance the security of localities of minority populations through a drone grid, a drone-based surveillance system. The decision has been taken in the wake of a spate of killings of civilians by Pakistani-supported Islamic terrorists who are especially targeting non-Kashmiri Hindu and Sikh minorities.

As the Union Minister of Home and Affairs, Amit Shah is on a three-day visit to the Valley, security agencies have made an elaborate long-term security bandobast with twin objectives to neutralize terrorists and to protect civilians.   

DIG of CRPF (Operation) Mathew A John confirmed the deployment of a new surveillance system in the areas where minorities live. “The step has been taken in the spate of attacks on the minority community members and migrant labourers,” CRPF DIG told the media.

The decision for a dedicated drone grid, as the system is named, was taken after security agencies huddled in a closed-door meeting to give a befitting reply to terrorists and to ensure the safety of minorities. Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the Jammu and Kashmir Police will jointly carry air surveillance through drones in as many as 15 identified pockets in the Valley which has the maximum concentration of the minority population. These minority pockets are mainly located in Srinagar as well as Lal Chowk. Other security agencies too will have key stakes and responsibilities in the new system in saving the life of civilians in the Valley, both Kashmiri and non-Kashmiri.    

The testing of the drone grid has already been started as security personnel were seen flying drones in the Pratap Park area.

A CRPF personnel testing drone in Srinagar. Image source Times of India

A control room is being set up by the J&K Police for round-the-clock surveillance. The moment the control room spots suspicious moments of persons in these areas, it will red flag security personnel on the ground with coordinates for action.

This move is expected to instil confidence in civilians and it will be able to stop any surprise dastardly attack on minorities by Islamist terrorists. Pakistan is desperately trying to revive terrorism in the valley where so far 12 civilians have been killed. Security forces neutralized 14 Islamic terrorists whereas nine security personnel also died.

Samajwadi party worker Adnan Khan threatens Hindus, abuses Hindu women in vile language, arrested

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Samajwadi party worker Adnan Khan threatens Hindus, abuses Hindu women in vile language, arrested

Adnan Khan, a Samajwadi Party worker, has been arrested after threatening Hindus on Facebook and abusing Hindu women in vile language. Ambedkarnagar Police informed on Twitter that he has been arrested is being interrogated over the matter.

Source: Twitter

Adnan Khan said in the contentious Facebook post that Hindus will be arrested when Akhilesh Yadav comes to power and Yogi Adityanath will be left ringing bells. He then proceeded to abuse Hindu women and said those who worship animals will remain animals.

Khan ended his post with ‘Jai Akhilesh Yadav’, ‘Jai Samajwad’ and ‘Mulayam Zindabad’.

The controversial post by Khan (Source: @go4avinash/Twitter)

Adnan Khan has claimed this Facebook account was hacked and has submitted a complaint in that regard. He claims that the contentious post was made by the person who allegedly hacked his account.

Source: Adnan Khan/Facebook

70 people were tagged in the Facebook post that has gotten Adnan Khan in trouble. Ambedkarnagar Police informed that he has been arrested after Twitter user Avinash Srivastava asked what action had been taken against the Samajwadi Party worker for the post.

It is not the first time that Samajwadi Party workers have demonstrated such a problematic mindset. In July, pro-Pakistan slogans were raised at one of their rallies in Agra in the presence of district president Wajid Nisar.

Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav had also courted controversy after speaking against the state police’s action against Al Qaeda suspects.

Ghaziabad Grooming Jihad: Sahil Khan turns Sahil Singh to lure Hindu girl into marriage, issues death threat for refusing to embrace Islam

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Ghaziabad Grooming Jihad: Sahil Khan turns Sahil Singh to lure Hindu girl into marriage, issues death threat for refusing to embrace Islam

Despite the passage of a stringent law to curb the menace of grooming jihad, there seems to be no end to the malaise afflicting the society. Recently, a case of grooming jihad has been reported in Sahibabad area of Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, where a Muslim man assumed a Hindu identity by tying a Kalava on his hand and sporting a tilak on his forehead to lure a Hindu girl into marrying him.

The man scrupulously concealed his Muslim identity but one day, his wife accidentally caught him offering namaz in their house. Perplexed by the site of her husband praying like a Muslim, she inquired with him the reason for the same. She was aghast to find that her husband was not a Hindu as he had portrayed before the marriage and instead was a devout Muslim. 

After she came to know that she had been tricked into marrying a Muslim man, the woman tried to bring an end to the relationship. However, her husband refused to budge and instead pressurized the woman to convert her religion. When the woman refused to do so, the accused demanded money from her and threatened to kill her. 

Scared of her predicament, the victim rushed to the Sahibabad police station in Ghaziabad and filed a complaint against her husband. Besides accusing her husband of cheating, the woman has also accused him of sexually assaulting her. 

The police have launched an investigation into the case by registering a case of cheating against the accused. In her complaint, the victim has alleged that her husband, Sahil Khan, had furnished fake documents to pose himself as a Hindu man, Sahil Singh, and entrapped her in a love relationship before marrying her. Khan is on the run and the police have launched a manhunt to nab the accused. 

Bangladesh: After Durga puja pandals, Islamists target Noakhali Jagannath Temple before Jumma Namaz

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Bangladesh: After Durga puja pandals, Islamists target Noakhali Jagannath Temple before Jumma Namaz

A week after radical Islamists attacked the 200-year-old Jagannath temple in Noakhali under the pretext of blasphemy, they again targeted the Hindu temple before offering Jumma Namaz on Friday (October 22), reported Ekattor TV.

Despite the deployment of police in the area, the temple came under attack yet again. Even the Police Superintendent had come to offer namaz at the mosque, adjoining the temple. However, about 15-20 minutes prior to his arrival, radical Islamists hurled stones and bricks at the temple. Ekattor TV reported that all glass panes in the Jagannath temple were destroyed owing to multiple attacks. It added that the incident might be a precursor to more acts of violence by radical Islamists.

Following the Jumma Namaz on last Friday, the Jagannath temple was vandalised, desecrated and looted. Ekattor TV pointed out that the attack was pre-planned and was orchestrated by a mob of 400-500 people. Citing temple authorities, it added that a total of 2 crores Taka worth of assets were stolen including 15-20 lakh cash, ornaments and 8-10 bags of rice. Ekattor Tv also added that the mob brought in equipment to break into the temple premises and open safe boxes.

(Video Courtesy: Youtube/Ekhattor.TV)

Owing to the administrative laxity and police negligence, Officer-in-Charge (Begumganj Model Thana) Mohammed Kamrup Sikdar was removed from the post and transferred to the Industrial police sector. Ekhattor TV informed that the Hindu community members are horrified by the onslaught of attacks and have decided to not step outside of their houses.

Temples attacked, Hindu houses destroyed by radical Islamist

The attacks happened over the alleged incident of ‘sacrilege’ at a Puja Pandal. However, Police found that the man who triggered communal violence against Hindus by placing Quran at the Durga Puja venue was Iqbal Hossain, a Muslim.The Hindu community had insisted vehemently that nobody among them had placed the Quran at the Puja Pandal and the incident has been a deliberate plan to attack the Hindu community.

For over five days, houses and temples of the Hindu community in Bangladesh have been under the attack of radical Islamists. It started on October 12 when multiple incidents of idol vandalism took place ahead of Puja. On Sunday, Islamic extremists vandalized the Durga idol of Sri Shamshaneshwar Shiva Vigraha Mandir in the Firingibazar area in Chittagong, Bangladesh.

On October 14, it was reported that several other Puja pandals were vandalized. Videos of broken idols, demolished pandals and Moorti of Maa Durga being thrown in a pond emerged on social media platforms along with other videos of attacks on Hindus. On October 16, the ISKCON temple was attacked by a 400-500 strong Muslim mob. On October 17 and October 18, the attacks continued, and houses of Hindus were vandalized. Many were reported injured, and some reported dead after the attacks.

The Wire columnist based in Ahmedabad wants ‘Sanghis’ to be locked up in Nazi-like camps, tortured

OpIndia Staff
-
0
The Wire columnist based in Ahmedabad wants ‘Sanghis’ to be locked up in Nazi-like camps, tortured

A tweet went viral on Saturday where a user advocated for ‘Sanghis’ to be put in concentration camps. Now, it has turned out that the user who made the genocidal comments, @NarovaKunjarova, is a columnist for The Wire. The person behind the account is one Parth Pandya and he has since then deleted the tweet.

The genocidal tweets

The issue was first pointed out by Twitter user @BefittingFacts who shared screenshots that showed that @NarovaKunjarova previously tweeted under the username @Parth_Utters and has written article for The Wire.

Source: @BefittingFacts
Source: @BefittingFacts

According to the author profile on The Wire, @parth_utters is Parth Pandya, a freelance sports writer based in Ahmedabad. That the person behind @NarovaKunjarova is Parth Pandya was seemingly confirmed by journalist Navneet Mundhra.

Source: Twitter

Navneet Mundhra appears to be well acquainted with Parth Pandya.

Source: Twitter

Navneet Mundhra and Parth Pandya have been interacting with each other since at least 2017.

Source: Twitter

Parth Pandya is a regular contributor for The Wire. He has penned 36 articles for the leftist website so far, between April 2018 and September 2021.

Articles Parth Pandya has penned for The Wire

The controversy started after one user suggested that “India will need ‘reeducation camps’ when all this ends.” While the user, with the username @Maganlal1303, did not elaborate what “this” was in the tweet, the replies and comments to it make it abundantly clear.

Quoting the tweet, said that he won’t mind “locking up Sanghis in camps” and “brainwashing them with doses of belt treatment”. The user, with username @NavrovaKunjarova, went on to assert that “these people” do not “deserve their ideas to be constitutionally protected”.

He did not stop there and went on to assert that what Mamata Banerjee is doing in West Bengal “will need to be scaled up manifolds”. Political violence against BJP workers and leaders has been rife in West Bengal in the aftermath of TMC’s victory in the assembly elections. The user was clearly hinting at that.

Parth is not the only The Wire columnist with problematic opinions. Sharjeel Imam, the Islamist who had called for the North East to be cut off from the rest of India, was also a columnist for The Wire.

Assam: Muslim youth arrested after uploading a photo on social media showing him placing a foot on a Ganesh idol

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Assam: Muslim youth arrested after uploading a photo on social media showing him placing a foot on a Ganesh idol

A few days after a frenzied mob of Islamists vandalised temples in Bangladesh, another incident of Hindu idol desecration has been reported from West Karbi Anglong district in Assam. In what appeared as a wanton attempt to stoke communal tensions in the city, a youth named Arbas Khan, uploaded a few pictures on Thursday on social media where he could be seen placing a foot on the head of an ancient idol of Lord Ganesh.

According to reports, the deplorable incident occurred in a religious place in the Tengalangso region of West Karbi Anglong district near Nagaon, Assam, where locals offer prayers to Lord Ganesh. The idol is placed in the midst of a stream named Arlong Kund in Tengalangso, and there is also a temple dedicated to the Hindu deity at that place.

In pictures posted on social media, the accused is seen posing with one of his legs on the head of Lord Ganesh’s stone idol. He is also seen wearing shoes.

Facebook post uploaded by accused Arbas Khan, source: Facebook user Moniram Teron Kongkat

After the image appeared on social media, it created outrage among the people in the area. Several local organisations condemned the act and demanded strict action against the youth, including Bajrang Dal and Karbi Students Union. They held a demonstration demanding the arrest of Arbas Khan, where they carried the hard copies of the photo uploaded by the youth.

The members of the Ganesh Mandir committee also condemned the despicable act and approached the Baithalangso police station with a complaint against the youth.

Protests demanding action against Arbas Khan (credit: ime8 News)

Speaking to the local media, one of the Temple committee members stated: “This act of hurting the sentiments of Hindus cannot be tolerated and will take legal action against him.”

A member of the temple committee stated that they were not opposed to individuals of different faiths visiting the site. He went on to say that many Muslims, Christians, and people of many faiths come to the place for picnics. That is not a problem for them. He stated that he, too, has visited numerous mosques and churches, as well as religious festivals such as Eid, but that such unethical behaviour has harmed Hindu religious sentiments, which will not be condoned.

Youth arrested after complaint filed by temple committee

Following the outrage and the complaint, the police had launched a hunt for Arbas Khan alias Ghulam Abbas Patowari, and arrested him on Friday from Kachua village. Hamren SP Ajagwran Basumatary had ordered a hunt for the youth, and he was arrested by a joint operation of cops from Nagaon, Hojai and Karbi Anglong. The cops have learnt that he had visited the place along with three other friends, where he got himself photographed placing his foot on the idol.

He was traced after finding out that he belongs to Bherbheri village in Jamunamukh in the neighbouring Hojai district. The Jamunamukh police visited his home from where his whereabouts in Karbi Anglong district was obtained, leading to his arrest. Arbas Khan is being questioned by the police in connection with the case.

What happened in Bangladesh?

It may be recalled how recently, multiple incidents of idol vandalism took place in Bangladesh ahead of the Durga Puja celebrations. On Sunday, October 10, Islamic extremists vandalized the Durga idol of Sri Shamshaneshwar Shiva Vigraha Mandir in the Firingibazar area in Chittagong, Bangladesh.

On October 14, it was reported that several other Puja pandals were vandalized. Videos of broken idols, demolished pandals and Moorti of Maa Durga being thrown in a pond emerged on social media platforms along with other videos of attacks on Hindus.

On October 16, the ISKCON temple was attacked by a 400-500 strong Muslim mob. On October 17 and October 18, the attacks continued, and houses of Hindus were vandalized. Many were reported injured, and some reported dead after the attacks.

The attacks happened over the alleged incident of ‘sacrilege’ at a Puja Pandal. However, Police found that the man who triggered communal violence against Hindus by placing Quran at the Durga Puja venue was Iqbal Hossain, a Muslim.

‘Where the sun don’t shine’: Terrorist organisation Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) releases a new map of ‘Khalistan’, gets mocked

OpIndia Staff
-
0
‘Where the sun don’t shine’: Terrorist organisation Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) releases a new map of ‘Khalistan’, gets mocked

Khalistani terror organisation Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) was at the receiving end of online backlash after it released a new “map” of their vision of Khalistan—a new homeland for Sikhs—would entail. 

The new map released by the radical, separatist Sikh organisation showed not just Punjab but Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and several districts of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh that the terror outfit designated as areas that would be seceded from India for the establishment of Khalistan. 

The map was released ahead of the group’s effort to hold a non-binding referendum to gauge support for their separatist, terrorist movement to form Khalistan beginning next week (Oct 31st) in London, at the Queen Elizabeth Centre.

While Khalistani proponents of the SFJ would have expected rave reviews over the map released by them, they were, instead, at the receiving end of contempt and scorn by the netizens for displaying the audacity of fantasising dismemberment of India. 

Netizens scoff at the new map released by SFJ of their fantasised Sikh homeland

BJP leader Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga, known for his witty replies on Twitter, shared a picture with a message that asked the SFJ to shove off the map where the sun don’t shine. 

One of the Twitter users did not take Jodhpur’s inclusion into Khalistan kindly and warned the group of the consequences of casting their evil eyes on Jodhpur, using colloquial language to drive home his point. 

Another Twitter user also expressed his bewilderment over the inclusion of Jodhpur in the figment of SFJ’s imagination. He dared the radical group to visit Jodhpur and see for themselves what it would mean trying to secede Jodhpur from India. 

A Twitter user replied to the tweet warning them what people of Bharatpur are capable of doing if they tried including the district in Khalistan.

Then there were some who used popular memes to scoff at SFJ’s effrontery of releasing a map that talked about hacking off parts of India for the creation of Khalistan. 

One Twitter user exposed the Khalistani terror outfit for what it is—a Pakistani outpost. The user highlighted how the Khalistani map doesn’t include Kartarpur and Nankana Sahib, two places that are in Pakistan but revered by Sikhs around the world.

There were others too who derisively asked SFJ to include Nakana Sahib and Kartarpur in Khalistan.

Talking about the referendum, SFJ said Punjabi Sikhs will be eligible to vote and registration could be done on the day of voting. This is not the first time that SFJ has peddled propaganda against India. The proscribed Khalistani terror organisation Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) has been involved in anti-India activities since its inception. It actively participated in stoking ‘farmers’ protest in India as a means to subvert the democratically elected government at the Centre.

It reportedly also confessed to its involvement in the Red Fort siege and rioting in Delhi on the occasion of 71st Republic Day. The confession was reportedly made in a seven-minute video released by the outlawed organisation in which they had backed the Red Fort siege and called for the siege of the Indian Parliament on February 1 when the Budget Session commences.

Indonesia’s founding president Sukarno’s daughter Sukmawati Sukarnoputri to convert to Hinduism from Islam

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Indonesia’s founding president Sukarno’s daughter Sukmawati Sukarnoputri to convert to Hinduism from Islam

Sukmawati Sukarnoputri, the daughter of the first President of Indonesia, has decided to convert to Hinduism from Islam. She will embrace Hinduism in a formal ceremony to be held on October 26th, reported CNN Indonesia. The conversion ceremony ‘Sudhi Wadani’ will be conducted at the Bali Agung Singaraja at the Buleleng Regency in Singaraja city of Bali, the ancestral land of the family. Bali Agung Singaraja is a monument to her late father Sukarno, built near the home of her grandmother in North Bali. 

The conversion of Sukarnoputri has also received the approval of the family members. She is the daughter of Indonesia’s founding president Sukarno and the third wife Fatmawati. She is also the sister of the 5th President of Indonesia Megawati Soekarnoputri. She was married to Kanjeng Gusti Pangeran Adipati Arya Mangkunegara IX but got divorced in 1984.

Her decision to convert to Hinduism was influenced by her grandmother Ida Ayu Nyoman Rai Srimben, who hailed from Bali. Sukmawati Sukarnoputri is the founder of the Indonesian National Party (Partai Nasional Indonesia-PNI).

Notification by Sukarno Centre in Bali announcing the conversion

Interestingly, her conversion to Hinduism will coincide with her 70th birthday. The lawyer of Sukmawati Sukarnoputri, Witaryono Rejsoprojo earlier informed that his client is well versed in Hindu theology. “Yes, (her grandmother’s religion is the reason). The mother of ‘Bung Karno’ was Ida Nyoman, a Balinese noble person (bangsawan),” she said. As per reports, the head of the Sukarno Center in Bali, Arya Wedakarna, has been entrusted by Sukmawati Sukarnoputri herself for the smooth conduct of the event. However, it remains unknown whether she will settle permanently in Bali. She had often attended Hindu rituals in Bali when she used the visit the region.

According to a refugee of Bale Agung, Jro Made Arsana, the preparations are underway for the ceremony. “Everything has been decorated,” he stated. Arsana added that the pledge to convert will be made by Sukmawati Sukarnoputri in the presence of Parisada Hindu Dharma Indonesia (PHDI) management. He also recounted how the daughter of the first President would come to Bale Agung along with her siblings.

Sukmawati Sukarnoputri had earlier attended several Hindu ceremonies and held talks with religious heads in Hinduism. Her decision to convert found the support of her brothers, Guntur Soekarnoputra, and Guruh Soekarnoputra, and sister Megawati Soekarnoputri. Even her children, namely, Muhammad Putra Perwira Utama, Prince Haryo Paundrajarna Sumautra Jiwanegara, and Gusti Raden Ayu Putri Siniwati have accepted her decision.

It is notable that Indonesia is the largest Muslim country in the world.

Family denies sending an invitation to public

An invitation card inviting people to attend the Sudhi Wadani was published by some Indonesian media houses and circulated on social media. But the family of Sukarnoputri has said that due to Covid-19 protocol, it will be only a small private ceremony on Tuesday, and the invitation card is only for close family members and relatives. The family has requested the members of public not to attend the ceremony even if they have received the invitation.

The invitation card

“The Sudhi Wadani ceremony is a special internal ceremony for the Dadia Pasek Baleagung Buleleng extended family,” said a family member. he added that due to the current state of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Baleagung Family has never issued an invitation related to the religious conversion ceremony, to avoid crowds at the Sudhi Wadani ceremony procession.

Mamita Meher murdered, dismembered, girls of hostel allege sex racket and Jay Panda trains guns at Patnaik: Is the Odisha govt shielding a minister?

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Mamita Meher murdered, dismembered, girls of hostel allege sex racket and Jay Panda trains guns at Patnaik: Is the Odisha govt shielding a minister?

The kidnapping and subsequent murder of a 24-year-old Mamata Meher of Jharni village under the Turekela block of Balangir district have sent shockwaves across the state. As lurid details of the abduction and murder come forth, BJP’s Baijayant Jay Panda has launched a scathing attack against Naveen Patnaik government in Odisha for shielding its minister who is allegedly involved in the case.

“Read & weep. A woman murdered, girls allegedly exploited, a state in turmoil, but @Naveen_Odisha refuses to drop this guy from his govt. Mamita Meher case: Odisha Minister used to visit girls hostel, Govind Sahu ran sex racket says student [Listen]” Panda tweeted along with sharing a report on the case. 

Jay Panda referred to an article, which quoted a student of the school where Mamita worked as a teacher, and who claimed that Captain Dibya Shankar Mishra used to visit the Girl’s Hostel. The student also alleged that Govind Sahu, managing committee president of the school and prime accused in the murder case, was running a sex racket.

Mishra is said to have close ties with Govind Sahu and there have been several videos and photos of him attending events at the school in the past and lavishing praises on Sahu. 

The student also revealed that though they were barred from keeping mobile phones on them but Govind made the exception for girls who were a part of the racket and allowed them to keep mobile phones in the school premises.

The abduction and murder of Sunshine English school teacher Mamita Meher

Mamita Meher, a teacher at Sunshine English Medium School, had gone missing on October 8. As per reports, she was allegedly called by Govind to come to the school for some official work. She was asked to come to Chandotara in the Balangir district from where she would be given a lift in the school president’s car. 

After reaching Chandotara by bus, the teacher went missing and her mobile phone was switched off. Unable to trace Mamita’s whereabouts, her concerned family members lodged a missing person complaint with Kegaon police in Kalahandi and Turekela police.

Another complaint was lodged in Sindhekela police station. The police acted on the complaints and launched a search operation to locate the teacher. During the probe, the police seized Govind’s car. In a press conference, DIG (northern range) Deepak Kumar said Balangir Police visited Kalahandi district and examined the CCTV footage in various places to ascertain the movement of the victim and the prime accused.

“Statements, material, scientific and technical evidence along with the confession of Gobinda Sahu reveal that it was a pre-planned murder and that he killed Mamita either by smothering or strangulating her inside his car on October 8 while they were returning from Bhawanipatna to Kegaon,” said the DIG.

Reportedly, the teacher was aware of the two extra-marital affairs of the prime accused Govind Sahu and had warned him with exposing his illicit relationships. In a presser on Wednesday, a top cop involved in the investigation revealed Mamita’s murder was a revenge act by Govind, who was holding a grudge against the teacher for her audacity to threaten him with exposing his extra-marital affairs. 

Meher’s body was chopped into pieces and disposed off at an under-construction site of the school

11 days after she had gone missing, on October 19, Mamita’s remains were found. Bones of her body were exhumed from a stadium construction site of Sunshine English Medium School at Mahaling in Kalahandi district, where Mamita was working as a teacher. The body was chopped in a bid to burn it easily, the official said. At the same time, police suspects involvement of Govind’s associates in disposing off the body. 

In the press conference organised on Wednesday this week, the police said Mamita was strangled to death by Govind inside his car on October 8. He then took the body to the under-construction stadium site of the school for disposal. There, he burnt the body with the help of cardboard and tyre before burying it.

On Wednesday, Govind was produced in a court in Gandamunda, which allowed the police to take the accused on a five-day remand. “Complete reconstruction of the crime sequence will be carried out. This case is being closely monitored by senior officers, its chargesheet will be filed soon and trial would be conducted in a fast track court,” said the DIG.

1...3,8213,8223,823...7,649Page 3,822 of 7,649